It’s been a while since my last Fun Friday post, so I thought I’d share a few pictures, videos, and stories that made me laugh or smile this week. Enjoy!

I’ll kick things off with a sweet dog who just can’t figure out where that squeaky noise is coming from.

With every squeak she just looks like, “What was that?! Oh well, back to frolicking in the snow.”

I have some good news for the optimists out there. According to a recent study by lead author Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois, optimistic people have healthier hearts. The study showed optimists were “50 and 76 percent more likely to have total health scores in the intermediate or ideal ranges, respectively.” The association remained significant even after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and poor mental health.

Moving on to a completely different, but health-related story, I want to share a short article by Elaine Ambrose entitled “Don’t Fart During an MRI.” I don’t think this one needs much explaining. Just read it.

I’ll close out this week’s edition of Fun Friday with an excellent prank video.

Happy Friday!! What. A. Week. Whew! Between being sick (bad head cold) and my intense patient caseload, I am pumped that the week is over. I’m also glad to be blogging again. Things got so crazy that I haven’t posted this week. I figured a Fun Friday post would be the perfect way to kick back into gear with Brown is the New Pink. If you don’t already know, when I have tough weeks at work I like to post pictures, videos, or stories that make me smile or laugh. It helps me separate myself from work, and I’m hopeful that it helps other people who just need to smile or laugh, too. Let’s get to it . . .

I am in BIG trouble if Derek and I have to move up north for his residency.

I should warn you that the next video has the potential to make you cry. Patrick Otema, 15, lives in a remote area of Uganda and was born deaf. There are no schools for people who are deaf, and he has never been able to have a conversation with others. However, Raymond Okkelo hopes to change this for Otema and other people who are deaf by teaching them sign language.

The way Patrick lights up at the end is one of the most heartwarming things I’ve seen in a long time. It was definitely a reminder for me to be mindful of my privilege as someone who doesn’t have any disabilities. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never even thought about how people would learn sign language in areas that don’t have schools for the deaf. The video also reminded me to be thankful for the gift of communication and language. It’s certainly something I take for granted.

Switching gears to something funny, I love this album of pictures about married life. I’m still a newlywed (8 months strong!), but I can already relate to these pictures, especially since my husband is quite the goofball.

Happy Halloween! Welcome to a special spooooooky edition of Fun Friday.

First up is an oldie-but-goodie. If you don’t already know, Jimmy Kimmel challenges to parents to tell their kids that they ate all of their Halloween candy. The kids’ reactions are priceless. My favorite reactions are the adorably sweet ones in the last minute of the video. Enjoy!

Happy Friday, friends! It’s been a hot minute since I made a Fun Friday post, and I think it’s time for some pictures, videos, and stories that made me smile or laugh lately. I hope they bring a smile to your face, too!

Let’s kick things off with the case of the cat and the “empty” food bowl.

It’s funny how peculiar animals are about certain things. My parents’ dog Scooter will not turn around on the hardwood floors (likely because he’s scared of slipping). It’s hilarious to watch him slowly back away when he wants to leave the kitchen. What a goober.

Next up is a video of an English bulldog riding a motorcycle who waves to a passing biker ON HER OWN. The dog waves first without prompting from her owner. I had to watch it twice to make sure.

You totally thought I was making that one up, didn’t you? 🙂

On to another video. I am a big fan of Key & Peele, and they recently released a new sketch about text messaging. (**Warning: harsh language is used in the video.)

That’s definitely one of those “I’m-laughing-because-it’s-true” videos. Making people laugh is a talent in itself, but it’s even more impressive that Key and Peele are able to mix humor and social commentary so well.

To wrap things up, I’ll share two love stories. The first is a post from Humans of New York. The couple in the photo share the story of the beginning of their 50+ year relationship. It’s a sweet and funny story.

The second is a video of the first marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple in North Carolina.

Last Friday, October 10th, a federal judge ruled that North Carolina’s gay marriage ban was unconstitutional. I watched the marriage in the video happen live on TV. It was a beautiful, and I felt blessed to witness such a significant moment in history.

Derek and I saw these flags on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill when were on our way to church. The town put them up to commemorate the momentous ruling.

Hallelujah, it’s Friday!!! Work was absolutely crazy this week. Obviously I know that protecting confidentiality is of the utmost importance, but sometimes I REALLY wish I didn’t have to abide by HIPAA regulations. You would not believe some of the things I see and hear with my cases. My friends Brittany and Caroline, who are also social workers, devised a plan for us to write a book called I Can’t Make This Sh*t Up. We can all attest to the cliché that truth is stranger than fiction.

Anywayyyy, on to some Fun Friday stories, pictures, and videos!

Let’s get this party started with a dog video. (I have a dog video problem.)

He is so perplexed by that fountain.

Next up is a “Lip Flip” segment from The Tonight Show. Have you seen this yet? This one with Jimmy Fallon and Billy Crystal is by far the funniest one to me.

I find it unsettling and hilarious.

Below is an amusing Calvin and Hobbes strip that I want to put up in my office.

Sometimes we all need one. 🙂

Finally I want to share an NPR segment called, “Beyond Charity: Turning The Soup Kitchen Upside Down.” While charity is certainly necessary in the short-term, it is often not the best way to help people long-term. Robert Egger, the founder of DC Central Kitchen, noticed that many of the individuals eating at local soup kitchens were battling addiction and facing incarceration in addition to dealing with unemployment and homelessness. Egger decided to take a “teach a man to fish” approach and created a culinary job training program, which teaches individuals how to cook and earn a food handler’s license. The individuals in the job training program help produce approximately 10,000 meals each day. About 5,000 meals are sent to local nonprofit organizations and another 5,000 meals are distributed to local, low-income schools.

My graduate school classmate Allison is starting up a non-profit with a similar model in Chapel Hill, NC. It’s called Made With Love Bakery. Made With Love Bakery is a “faith-based transitional employment bakery sharing the love of Jesus Christ with individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, giving them a second chance at employment and equipping them with the training and support they need to overcome poverty.” You can find out more on the website or her blog.

Sheesh, I’m supposed to turn off the social work for these posts. What can I say? I love seeing people find creative ways to address social issues. It inspires me.

Happy, happy Friday!! I don’t have any big plans this weekend, but I’m still really excited about it. I have some CRAZY cases at work. I’m enjoying work because it’s so interesting right now, but I definitely need the break over the weekend.

If you haven’t seen a Fun Friday post yet, I compile pictures, stories, and videos of things that make me smile or laugh. My work can be emotionally draining and making these posts helps me leave work behind for the weekend. Anyway, let’s get this party started . . .

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About Me

Welcome to Brown is the New Pink!
My name is Ali Brown Pinkerton. I live in Indianapolis, IN with my husband Derek. I'm a medical social worker with my Master's of Social Work from UNC - Chapel Hill. Besides my interest in social justice, I love cooking healthy (and sometimes not-so-healthy) foods, running, reading, and traveling.